Three former Armstrong associates banned for life

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Lance Armstrong

Three former Armstrong associates banned for life

Lance Armstrong

(CNN) — Two doctors and a trainer associated with Lance Armstrong’s former U.S. Postal Service team were suspended for life Tuesday, July 10th by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Dr. Michele Ferrari, a consultant; Dr. Luis Garcia del Moral, team doctor; and Jose “Pepe” Martí were part of a large-scale doping conspiracy, according to the USADA. The agency says Armstrong, who won six Tour de France championships while with U.S. Postal, was also involved in doping.

Each was given a Monday deadline to accept sanctions or contest the charges. Armstrong was granted a five-day extension.

Among the charges against the two doctors and Marti was the accusation that they trafficked performance-enhancing drugs and masking agents.

“Permanently banning these individuals from sport is a powerful statement that protects the current and next generation of athletes from their influence, and preserves the integrity of future competition,” USADA CEO Travis Tygart said in a written statement.

On Monday, Armstrong, who says he is innocent, asked a federal court to grant a restraining order against the USADA, but his lawsuit was dismissed Monday. Armstrong’s attorneys said they plan to file another request.

Former USPS team manager Johan Bruyneel and Dr. Pedro Celaya also have been charged by the USADA. The agency’s release did not specify whether they also were granted extensions for their cases or had opted for an arbitration hearing.